Ah, the holidays. The scent of pine mingles with the crisp winter air, and our homes become cozy havens for celebration.

As we gather with loved ones, it’s only natural to want our homes to reflect the warmth we feel inside. And here’s the beautiful part — we can do it all while keeping our dear planet in mind. So, here are some eco-friendly holiday decor ideas that are not just about aesthetics, but also about embracing the natural world and using our creativity.

Homemade Wreaths

homemade grapevine wreath featuring fall foliage

Making your own wreath is a wonderful way to get in touch with your creativity and nature this season, and the best part is that there are no rules. Just take a walk in your backyard, a public trail, or a local park to gather your materials.

For the base, we like to use grape vines, but if you don’t have access to these, any vine that is thick and pliable should work. When foraging, you want to cut from the bottom near the root. Then, slowly tug and pull down. It will be easier to unravel this way! Don’t forget your clippers or gloves, and make sure they are not tied around power lines!

Once you have a few yards gathered, start forming the vine into a circle. While one side of the grapevine will be the start of your circle, the other side should be weaved in, out, and around the circle — adding layers and securing the form together. Freshly harvested vines should be pliable enough to do this straight away, but if the vines are older and more dried out you can soak them in water for about an hour first. If you run out of length on your first vine, add another vine and continue wrapping in the same direction.

Now, it’s time to decorate! You can use seed pods (milkweed, coneflower, alliums), Goldenrod, leaves, acorns, pine cones, asparagus foliage, rose hips…and the list goes on. Note: you might want to give some of these a good shake! For instance, if you wish to use Goldenrod, it might be nice to shake off some of the gray/brown fuzz to stop it from getting plant bits all over your house!

In all of this, the most important advice we have is to know what you are picking. This is crucial not only for your own safety but also for the health of the ecosystem you’re foraging from. Some plants may look harmless but could be toxic, while others could be endangered or vital to the local wildlife. So, go ahead and have fun making your wreath, but do so with respect, awareness, and gratitude for the natural world that provides us with such beauty.

If you don’t have the means to create your own wreath this year, we offer a variety of handmade holiday wreaths on our website.

Dried Citrus Garlands

dried oranges, ready to be strung into a beautiful garland

Another delightful decoration idea is a dried citrus garland! Not only does this infuse your surroundings with the refreshing fragrance of citrus, but it adds a burst of color to your surroundings.

For a diverse and visually appealing garland, gather an assortment of citrus fruits such as oranges, blood oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes! Use whatever is available to you at the time — this is also a perfect opportunity to use up any slightly overripe fruits to prevent them from going to waste.

To begin, slice the citrus into thin rounds about ¼” thick. Pat them gently with a towel to remove excess moisture and speed up the dehydrating process. There are two methods you can use:

Food Dehydrator: Arrange the citrus in a single layer on the trays of a standard food dehydrator. Set the temperature to about 135 degrees and let them dehydrate for at least three hours, and up to 10 hours depending on the thickness. Check them every once in a while and take them out when they are completely dry and brittle.
Oven: If you don’t own a dehydrator, you can also use your oven! Preheat your oven to 200 degrees, then place your citrus in a single layer on a lined baking sheet. The drying process should take anywhere from 2-6 hours. Remember to check on them frequently and flip them occasionally until they are completely dry.

Once dried, these citrus slices are ready to be strung together into a garland. Thread them onto natural twine, alternating colors and sizes to create a visually appealing pattern. Hang your dried citrus garland on the mantle, along stair railings, or arrange it as a centerpiece for your holiday table.

Branch Wall Hangings

For this DIY, all you need is a fallen tree branch from your yard, and you're on your way to creating a beautiful earthy decor piece. Start by selecting a branch with a shape and size that appeals to you. It could be weathered or sleek and smooth — whatever speaks to you.

To transform your branch into a wall hanging, attach a length of twine on each end. Make sure it's securely tied, then hang the twine over a nail on the wall. Now comes the fun part—decorating your tree branch wall hanging! Using natural twine, hang an assortment of ornaments from the stick. You can use pinecones, fresh greenery, dried citrus slices (perhaps from your citrus garland project!), or any ornaments you already have on hand. The key is to mix and match textures and colors to create a visually appealing arrangement.

By repurposing a fallen branch, you’re breathing new life into something that might have otherwise been overlooked, while also letting your creativity shine and adding a beautiful touch of nature to your home.

Dried Floral Arrangements

Begin your holiday floral adventure by going out into nature and gathering an assortment of dried blooms, cedar, pine, or spruce sprigs, and other complementary elements like dried roses, pinecones, winterberry, holly, and more. Then, to craft your dried floral arrangements, start by creating a base using your choice of evergreen branches. Secure the stems together to form a strong foundation for your arrangement. Then, layer the dried flowers and other foliage on top, securing them with twine. These arrangements can take the form of bouquets, where the flowers are tightly clustered, or swags, which are long and flowy hanging decorations, like the one pictured above.

There are so many places where you can incorporate dried floral arrangements into your home. The classic option is to place bouquets in vases, adorning your mantle, end tables, or serving as a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table. Another option is to hang dried floral bouquets and let them gently sway near windows, doorways, stairways, or light fixtures. To spread the holiday cheer, extend a warm welcome to guests with a festive swag hung on your front door.

Gift Wrapping Swaps

gift wrapped in natural cloth and topped with dried orange and star anise

This holiday season, let’s embrace a more mindful approach to gift wrapping. Conventional gift wrapping, with its glossy papers and plastic ribbons, may seem normal and harmless, but in reality, it creates a staggering amount of waste.

Instead of traditional wrapping paper, consider using cloth wraps or scarves to wrap your gifts — if you don’t have these on hand, check your local thrift store! Swap plastic ribbon for natural twine, and consider using seed paper to make homemade tags that can be planted after use, growing into beautiful flowers or herbs. Lastly, instead of traditional plastic bows, consider more natural toppers such as dried flowers, dried citrus, evergreen sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and more.

Not only do these swaps reduce waste, but they also add an extra layer of thoughtfulness to your presents.

Embracing a Mindful Holiday Celebration

As the holiday season wraps us in its warmth, it's a perfect time to pause and reflect on our connection with the natural world. Exploring ways to adorn our homes with a touch of nature allows our creativity to flourish and sustainability to guide our decisions. With each of these projects, it’s essential to remind ourselves of the importance of mindful foraging and respecting the delicate ecosystems we draw from. These creations are more than decorations; they are a conscious reminder of our role as stewards of the Earth.

This holiday season, may your homes be filled with the laughter of loved ones, the aroma of pine, and the gentle rustle of foraged elements.

Deck the Halls the Earth-Friendly Way: 5 Eco-Friendly Decor Ideas